KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

"KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot On a Friday night, you’ll find the waiting area of this massive South Austin joint filled with groups belting karaoke classics and encouraging everyone to sing along. Once you make it through a few of NSYNC’s greatest hits and find yourself at a table, you can order all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ or hot pot for around $30 (or both for a few dollars more). Food comes out fast and cooks even faster on the smoking grill shared among each table, and there’s a self-serve sauce bar where you can craft whatever dip speaks to your inner chef. The meats aren’t the highest quality, but they do a suitable job of ensuring you leave with your pants feeling a little more snug than when you arrived." - nicolai mccrary

"At K Pot in South Austin, you can get Korean BBQ or hot pot, either of which are served all-you-can-eat. Everybody gets their own individual pot, and you’ll choose from eight different soup bases ranging from the light and brothy “healthy herbs” to a fiery Sichuan option that will immediately dye anything it touches a dark red hue. There are almost too many meat and vegetable options to count, plus a handful of noodles you can request to fill up with at the end. Most of the ordering takes place through your server, minus a small bar where you can supplement the meal with things like fried chicken and dumplings. Dinner costs around $30 (or an extra $5 if you want both BBQ and hot pot)." - nicolai mccrary

"On a Friday night, you’ll find the waiting area of this massive South Austin joint filled with groups of friends loudly belting karaoke classics and encouraging everyone to sing along. Once you make it through a few of NSYNC’s greatest hits and eventually find yourself at a table, you’ll have the option to order AYCE Korean BBQ or hot pot for a set price (you can get both for a few extra dollars). We like to go the BBQ route—food comes out fast and cooks even faster on the smoking grill shared by the table. This isn’t the best Korean BBQ you’ll get in town, but it just might be the most fun. " - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs

"On a Friday night, the waiting area of this massive South Austin joint is filled with groups of friends belting karaoke classics and encouraging everyone to sing along. Once you make it through a few of NSYNC’s greatest hits and eventually find yourself at a table, you can get all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ or hot pot for around $30 (at dinner), or both for an extra $5. It’s a lively place where food takes a back seat to fun. Everything is ordered through a tablet, and the meats—in both barbecue and hot pot form—aren’t the highest quality, but they do a suitable job of ensuring you leave with your pants feeling more snug than when you arrived. Food Rundown Korean BBQ There are over two dozen meat and seafood options, plus a few vegetables. Food comes out fast and cooks even faster on the smoking grill shared among each table. There’s also a self-serve sauce bar where you can craft a dipping sauce that mixes garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, and whatever else speaks to your inner chef. Hot Pot Everybody gets their own individual pot, and you can choose from eight different soup bases ranging from the light and brothy “healthy herbs” to a fiery Sichuan option that will immediately dye anything it touches a dark red hue. There are almost too many meat and vegetable options to count, plus a handful of noodles you can order to fill up with at the end." - Nicolai McCrary

"K Pot in South Austin offers hot pot and Korean BBQ, both in AYCE formats. Instead of choosing between the two, you can get both for a few extra dollars—then you should plan to order as many plates as your table space (and stomach) will allow. This is a chain from NYC, meaning they’ve had a little bit of time to figure things out, and there’s a second location planned in North Austin soon.  We visited K Pot and added it to our Fun Dinners guide. " - nicolai mccrary